India’s bowlers, led by Arshdeep Singh, skittle South Africa for 117 to secure a seven-wicket win and a 2-1 lead in the T20 series
ARSHDEEP SINGH spearheaded a dominant bowling performance as India defeated South Africa by seven wickets in the third T20 international on Sunday.
The hosts took a 2-1 lead in the five-match series after bowling out the visitors for 117 in the Himalayan hill town.
Left-arm quick Arshdeep returned figures of 2-13 and was named player of the match.
Fast bowler Harshit Rana and spinners Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav also took two wickets each.
India’s openers then chased down the target with 25 balls to spare, led by Abhishek Sharma’s rapid 35 from 18 deliveries.
“Sport teaches you a lot of things, how you come back is more important,” said India skipper Suryakumar Yadav.
The bowlers set up victory by striking early, with Arshdeep and Rana removing Reeza Hendricks and Quinton de Kock within the first two overs.
South African captain Aiden Markram made a valiant 61 off 46 balls but lacked support as wickets fell regularly.
Rana bowled Dewald Brevis before pace bowler Hardik Pandya claimed his 100th T20 wicket by dismissing Tristan Stubbs.
Chakravarthy then rattled the middle order, removing Donovan Ferreira for 20 and Marco Jansen for two.
“They got the ball in the right areas and before you know it we were four-five down,” said Markram.
Arshdeep eventually dismissed Markram, and Kuldeep took two wickets in the final over to end the innings.
India’s chase began briskly thanks to Sharma’s attacking knock and a 60-run opening stand with Shubman Gill, who made 28.
Sharma fell to Corbin Bosch and Jansen dismissed Gill, but Tilak Varma (26) and Shivam Dube (10) saw the team home.
Suryakumar Yadav’s struggles continued as he was dismissed for 12, managing just 239 runs across his last 21 T20 innings.
The fourth match of the series will be played on Wednesday in Lucknow. – AFP
